Islands, with The Magic and Street Carnage

     On Friday night, The Islands, which include two ex-members of The Unicorns, played the first Unitarian Church in Philadelphia. There was fantastic turn out of young and old alike, and all enjoyed a great set of new and old Islands songs. Their new album, The Arm, is gritty departure from their first album, Return to the Sea, but I think Islands are moving in a fresh direction.  While most of the set was from the Arm, the audience was treated to all of their favorites and there was much rejoicing.     The doors opened at 8, but I did not arrive until 9, despite the fact that I was supposed to be working. Drexel University’s radio Station, WKDU 91.7, presented the show, and I was supposed to help man the booth. When I arrived, there was an exodus out of the Church basement, which was somewhat alarming, until I actually got in and realized it was because it was really really hot down there. If you have ever been to a Church show in the summer, it heats up really fast. Mostly because there is no air conditioning, a lot of people in a small space, and six meager ceiling fans, two of which were not on. I was not expecting this because it is only May. 

    On the stage was Street Carnage, a comedian of sorts hailing from New York, New York, that had a vocal and multi media show. I wasn’t really able to catch the jokes, but he was the first opener. After a short break, The Magic came on. Snappily dressed with black eye masks, they played one if the most enjoyable sets by an opener I have ever seen. I even bought their CD. Their post no wave sound was catchy and dancable but in a dark sense that still appealed to hipster sensibilities. Definitely keep an ear out for The Magic.

   In what seemed like an eternity later, Islands came on with much whistling and clapping from the exited crowd of highschoolers out for Memorial Day weekend, college kids, and the many from the bar scene enjoying some music before starting their night. Islands’ lead singer Nick Thorburn had the space captivated with his on stage persona and white face makeup. Seeming quite dashing, but altogether absorbed in his crooning, he spoke with the crowd here and there. Islands opened with the first single “The Arm”. The set only lasted about forty minutes, but other notable songs included “The Creeper”, “In the Rushes”, “I Feel Evil Creeping In”, and “Kids Don’t Know Sh”. First album favorites included “Don’t Call Me Whitney, Bobby”, “Jogging Gorgeous Summer”, and “Rough Gem” as the encore. A really solid show overall, everyone was quite pleased and happy that The Islands stopped in Philly to kick off Memorial Day Weekend.